Over the years a number of trails on public land have been lost, either through lack of use, access issues, resource limitations or other reasons. This week’s ski/ snowshoe tour is close to being such a case.
I enjoy rediscovering these “lost” trails. Sometimes it requires digging through old guidebooks, sometimes contacting the land managers. Both were necessary for the Halfmoon Ski Trail. I think you’ll agree that it was worth it as you enter a remote and pristine section of the Mount Massive Wilderness.
There is no signage at the winter trailhead and once you enter the Wilderness Area there will be no trail signs (these have been removed by the Forest Service as part of the Wilderness policy of minimum signage), so you’ll need a slightly adventurous attitude, as well as map and compass skills to follow this delightful trail.
The tour starts on a public road that soon passes through private property (the Mount Massive Ranch). It is important to stay on the road and, as always, respect private property. There are currently no access issues for this trail. Let’s keep it that way.
Hike description
From the parking area ski 100 yards southwest on the Halfmoon Road. Turn right on Forest Service Road 152, unsigned except for a sign to 2815 County Road 11. Follow this road west, keeping the fence to your right.
At mile 0.3 reach the property boundary for the Mount Massive Ranch. Continue on the road as it crosses through a series of fences marking the private property. The road trends south, staying to the east side of an open willowy area, reaching the Mount Massive Wilderness boundary at mile 1.3. It is necessary to register here by filling out a Wilderness Use Permit (no fee). The Forest Service collects this information to obtain visitor use data.
Continue south on the road, staying generally on the east edge of the drainage. At mile 1.7 is the confluence with Willow Creek, which joins the drainage from the west. The open area at this confluence provides good views of Mount Elbert to the southwest. Continue south on the road to another, larger, open area at mile 2.3. This is the confluence with South Willow Creek. Continue south along the now unnamed creek, the road staying just to the east of the creek. Toward the end of the trail the grade steepens slightly before reaching the Main Range Trail, a part of the Colorado Trail, after 3.4 miles.
While it is possible to extend the tour by taking the Main Range Trail southwest from this junction to join the Halfmoon Road a little west of Emerald Lake (often packed by snowmobiles), following your tracks back down will be hard to resist.
